Arizona Takes Off Its "Rainbow Shades"

So what does the "illegal" in illegal immigration mean? For that matter, what does the less judgmental and legally vacuous "undocumented alien" mean? If something is illegal, according to dictionary.com, it is "forbidden by law or statute." If one is "undocumented" that person lacks "the needed documents, as for permission to live or work in a foreign country." Sociological and political considerations notwithstanding, the law should be the law and its requirements ought to be universally adhered to, or punishment imposed for their violation.

According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform, as of 2007, there are about 475,000 illegal immigrants in Arizona straining an already overburdened economy. Taxpaying citizens must underwrite the cost of schooling for their children, as well as visits to emergency rooms. In California, several hospitals have had to close because they could no longer afford to give free care to noncitizens. Gangs in Arizona operate under the command of drug lords in Mexico. This and other criminal activity threaten the peace and security of Arizonans and potentially all American citizens. Is this something that must be endured for the sake of "human rights groups" and "immigration rights groups," or is it long past time to slow the flow?

The Arizona legislature and Governor Brewer have correctly chosen to slow the flow. They realize a state and a nation unwilling to protect their borders cannot hope to preserve qualities that have made this country what it is but won't be for much longer if we permit this illegal invasion to continue.